New IK Multimedia UltraTuner for Apple Watch is all in the wrist

UltraTuner
When we think of all the uses for a smart watch a musicians tool is not likely at the top of mind but with the new UltraTuner for Apple Watch by IK Multimedia, musicians will be able to tune their instruments with high precision, and conveniently right from their wrists.

IK calls the app the first and most precise and feature-packed instrument tuner available for Apple Watch that features a 1/100th of a cent accuracy.

When installed on an iPhone, the latest UltraTuner app pairs with an Apple Watch, allowing musicians to view the tuning information in two operational modes: UltraTuner’s classic graduated LED “STAGE” mode and a simple “NOTE” mode, specifically designed for the Apple Watch display.Read more…at CanoeTech Blog

Senneheiser, Apogee clip-on mics go digital

ClipMic

Sennhesier and Apogee have teamed together to launch ClipMic digital and MKE 2 digital, a pair of clip-on microphones designed for iOS – iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that offer digital recording and enhanced sound quality over similar traditional analog mics.

“We are proud to launch the first digital clip-on microphones designed to connect directly to your iPhone,” says Betty Bennett, Co-Founder and CEO of Apogee Electronics. .

More than just a direct connect with their 1.6m cable through the devices Lightning connector, capturing the enhanced audio will add a new dimension to your videos, according to Wolfgang Fraissinet, Director Audio Recording at Sennheiser. “Speech intelligibility will increase tremendously – and will retain this quality when the speaker is moving. The fact that we feed the mobile device with a professionally converted digital signal results in the best possible sound quality,” says Fraissinet. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Divoom Airbeat-10 wireless speaker suction cup included

While people are still buying earbuds and headphones we’re starting to see many external portable speakers hitting the market, thanks in part to the ability to stream music wirelessly over Bluetooth. One company that makes a number of these and in all different shapes and sizes is Divoom. One of their latest models is the Divoom Airbeat-10 wireless bluetooth speaker, that with its funky little attachments you can attach it and take it anywhere. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

 

Kidz Gear volume limiting headset ideal for young ears

Going beyond the earbuds that are often included with the gadget these days, it sometimes tough to find a decent headset that suitable for young ears.  Expanding upon their original headphones, Kidz Gear has introduced the Kids Gear Deluxe Stereo Headset with Boom Microphone that is not only sized correctly for a child’s head, it also has a volume limiting capability to help protect the little ears.

Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

 

Apple WWDC15 kicks off June 8 in San Francisco

Apple officially announced the 26th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) would be held at San Francisco’s Moscone West, June 8-12, where developers will gather, “to learn about the future of iOS and OS X”. And while no specifics for any WWDC event are actually ever given out ahead of time, the image on the developer’s splash page and a repetition of history are often telltale signs of what’s to come. Read more……at CanoeTech Blog

Connected AwoX colour SmartLIGHT a modern day disco ball

 

smartlight_color_600x300Connected smart lights are becoming a lot more commonplace and many models are more than just another pretty white light. Thus is the case of the new smartphone controllable A SmartLIGHT Colour light bulb by AwoX based in Montpellier France, fairly new to the Canadian market. It looks like a regular light bulb, compatible with most common lamps, but since it’s LED, it consumes much less power and not only offers up to 16 million colours including multitude of shades of white, it can also sync to the beat your dance music giving you your own modern day disco ball.

The AwoX SmartLIGHT offers a simple smart solution powered from the AC socket of your lamp, but controlled by your iOS or Android device, pairing easily via SmartBluetooth 4.0. The free SmartCONTROL app you can get from the App Store or Google Play will allow you to control the colours, tones, intensity and more. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

 

Over one third of software developers would marry a robot

Robot

I realize that today is April Fools’ Day but realizing how far and how quick technology has progressed and hearing the fears of respectable tech leaders like Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak about the rise of intelligent robots and enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), it really starts you thinking not just about what is truly possible, but when it might actually happen.

But not everyone thinks it’s totally a bad thing. In a recent ad hoc poll done by Evans Data Corp., 72% of software developers believed that artificial intelligence is beneficial to mankind. Furthermore, 35% said that they would consider marrying a humanoid robot.  Read Full Post and take survey at CanoeTech Blog

Refreshed crowd-funded SmartGuitar never needs tuning

Jamstik+

After the launch of the original jamstik, the Smart Guitar in 2014, Zivix, the creators went back to the drawing board to improve upon their original offering. And just a few days ago, they initiated a Kickstarter campaign for jamstik+, that reached its original funding goal of $50K U.S. in just four hours. They currently have over 900 backers with over $224K U.S. in pledges – four and a half times the original ask.

Jamstik works with your iPad, iPhone or Mac and unlike the guitar you get with RockBand, it uses real guitar strings, real frets and a magnetic pickup. But the real beauty is that it never needs tuning.  It’s quiet, lightweight and portable, measuring only 16” tall and weighing 36 oz.  It has a five-octave range and also handles string bend and vibrato. It runs off its built-in battery rated at over 8 hours of playtime. Read more…at CanoeTech Blog

Coin sized TrackR keeps tabs on your stuff

TrackR Coin

Can’t remember where you left your keys or maybe your phone? If you answered yes to either of these questions then TrackR bravo is the gadget for you. It’s a Bluetooth enabled device paired with a mobile app that using a distance locator, could locate missing items within 30m and possibly beyond. And it’s not just limited to your phone and your keys; it can track anything from pets and bikes to purses and wallets, anything that you attach it to.

It’s tiny. It has a 31mm diameter only 3.5 mm thick and it’s pretty clever. You start by downloading the app for Android or iOS. You then pair TrackR bravo with your compatible smartphone and it will keep tabs on where it is and show it on the map located within the app. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

New Apple TV slated for June WWDC?

At Apple’s recent “Spring Forward” event the focus was on the Apple watch and the new MacBook but quietly, Apple reduced the price of the Apple TV in Canada by $20 to $89 without any changes to the product.  But little did I realize, that two little words on the Apple TV page at the Apple Store might be an indication of something new and exciting coming down the path.

Those two words were “starting at”.  At first, I didn’t think anything of it, because like many people, when looking through a store, I was just browsing, so I really never thought much of “Apple TV starting at $89”. Funny thing is, there is only one Apple TV model but at the time it really didn’t faze me. Read more…at CanoeTech Blog